Type: Press

Responding to the Government’s announcement of the membership of the Future of Media Commission, Labour Party Media Spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock said:  “I am disappointed that the Government appears to have left major gaps in the makeup of the Future of Media Commission. The sustainability and viability of the media in our country is at…

Proposed change to law empowers SIPO to carry out an investigation if there is a breach of Section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act. Provides for penalties including a Class C fine of up to €2,500, and up to two years in prison. Following the controversy over the appointment of former Minister Michael D’Arcy as…

Ireland Thinks Poll shows 87% support for legal right to sick pay. Dáil to vote on Labour Bill on Wednesday. Government wrong to delay action for at least six months. With the Dáil due to vote on Labour’s Sick Leave and Parental Leave (Covid-19) Bill on Wednesday, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly highlighted the result…

Sectoral Employment Order for private bus industry still needed. Shutting down Bus Éireann routes between major cities must be reviewed said Labour Transport spokesperson Duncan Smith as it will lead to the loss of services for many other towns along the routes, calling on the Minister to intervene, and establish his stakeholder forum. Deputy Smith…

Department of Finance becoming training school for corporate careers. With another Fine Gael Minister for Financial Services resigning from politics to take up an industry lobbying position, Labour Finance spokesperson Ged Nash said the government party should clarify if it believes this is an appropriate move. He said the spirit of the rules were being…

Private landlords should offer refunds Minister must instruct remaining HEI’s to refund deposits and rent paid if requested Flexibility is needed for students who will not avail of student accommodation due to Covid-19 restrictions according to Labour Spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, Senator Annie Hoey. Senator Hoey said: “Landlords must offer flexibility to students…

Payment breaks must be extended for struggling mortgage holders and firms beyond September. Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA), which sets out the guidelines on mortgage arrears, must be immediately strengthened to provide a specific list of options that may be suitable for a borrower who is in difficulty. Banks must stop cherry-picking alternative…

Today, Labour Seanad Group Leader and spokesperson for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the announcement of an additional €10 million in funding for disability services by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD. Senator Bacik said: “I welcome today’s announcement that €10…

Clarity is needed on why Further Education and Training Institutes are exempt from NPHET guidance to move online only for two weeks according to Labour Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Senator Annie Hoey, who was speaking after it was revealed that FET Institutions are preparing to operate as normal on Monday. Senator Hoey said:…

59 years on from the Siege of Jadotville, Labour Defence spokesperson Mark Wall has backed the campaign for the award of distinguished service medals or military medals for gallantry to the men of A Company 35th Infantry Battalion that engaged and survived the 1961 Siege of Jadotville in the Congo. Senator Mark Wall said: “It…

Clarity is needed for students who travel from Donegal to study in further education institutes in Derry or in other parts of Northern Ireland, according to Labour Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Senator Annie Hoey. Senator Hoey said: “Many students travel everyday between Donegal and parts of Northern Ireland to study in Further and…

Level 3 restrictions in Donegal and Dublin show need to restore payment. People have already taken cut to their payments. Budget kite flying is wrong and playing with people’s incomes. With Dublin and Donegal now in Level 3, and further counties on the brink, the kite flying that the cut to the  Pandemic Unemployment Payment…

Workers bearing the brunt of lack of clear government policy. Green List not working and still no common EU approach. Still no sign of airport testing nearly two months on from announcement. With no clear government strategy on aviation or airport testing for those arriving into Ireland, workers in airlines and in airport services are…

Reacting to publication of the HSE Winter Plan, Labour Senator and spokesperson for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Ivana Bacik has highlighted the notable lack of measures to support disability services. Senator Bacik said: “It seems that people with disabilities and their families have not been given sufficient recognition in the composition of the HSE’s Winter Plan. In…

After NUI Galway committed to refunding student accommodation fees to students who no longer wish to take up places in on-campus housing, Labour Higher Education spokesperson Annie Hoey said:   “Students face a difficult choice as they return to college and start new courses. There is grave uncertainty about the level of restrictions that may…

Government supports for direct links to Europe needed and new providers must be secured. State Connectivity fund of €240m must be used to reduce dependency on landbridge. Rosslare and Cork can rebalance links and address strategic weaknesses. With transport chaos likely in the UK in a no trade deal scenario, Labour Brexit spokesperson Brendan Howlin…

Govt have trumpeted 1500 new beds but there are only an additional 500 contained with the plan No detail on where additional staff will come from The Government need to clarify the exact number and breakdown of beds in the HSE Winter Plan according to Labour Leader, Alan Kelly T.D who was speaking at Leaders…

Labour welcomes the Central Bank imposing a fine of €18.3 million on KBC. KBC CEO’s previous statement that the Tracker Mortgage Examination was ‘annoying’ is a terrible indictment on KBC and the culture in banks. Paschal Donohoe is dragging his heels on the Senior Executive Accountability Regime for bankers Responding to the Central Bank fining…

Confirmation needed that practice is isolated to Manor Farms. HSA and Department need to ensure workers are protected and not charged. Workers should have paid sick leave protection. Responding to the revelation in the Irish Examiner that workers in Manor Farms were being charged for PPE, Labour Agriculture spokesperson Seán Sherlock called on the HSA…

Reacting to the news that trade union representatives have withdrawn from the Low Pay Commission due to a failure to consider a meaningful increase to the minimum wage, Labour Spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Senator Marie Sherlock said:   “The future of the Low Pay Commission is now seriously in question. The Government must act to ensure…

Six-month delay is rubbish They cannot claim to follow public health advice unless they support this bill The Government hypocrisy on sick pay is nauseating according to Labour Leader Alan Kelly who was speaking on the Labour Party’s Sick Leave and Parental Leave (Covid-19) Bill 2020 in the Dáil. Deputy Kelly said: “Currently sick pay…

Speaking during the Dáil debate on Labour’s Sick Pay Bill, Labour Justice spokesperson Brendan Howlin called on the government to reconsider the use of a delaying amendment that he described as cynical, and a device used when there is no moral argument against a proposal but simply a tactic used to delay it. Deputy Howlin…

Questioning the Minister for Social Protection in the Dáil this evening, Labour spokesperson Seán Sherlock called on her to restore the full €350 pandemic unemployment payment for those in the live events sector and creative industries who will not be likely to return to work for some time. Deputy Sherlock said: “The Labour Party has…

Responding to the Government’s plan to delay a decision on Labour’s sick pay proposals by at least six months, Labour’s spokesperson on Employment Affairs Senator Marie Sherlock said: “The lack of statutory sick leave is a fundamental weakness in our fight against the pandemic. We can’t wait six months for a public consultation when a…